Motorists bypass u-turn, cause chaos in Gandhi Nagar

Now, the vehicles have to take a U-turn near the Corporation Park on Greenways Road, which is at least 3 kilometres away. A few motorists move against the flow of traffic illegally to reach the First Main Road in Gandhi Nagar. Several representations have met the Chennai Traffic Police Department, requesting them to carve a junction near Malar Hospital.

The vice-president of Federation of Adyar Residents Welfare Association, C Ramakrishnan, said, “The vehicular congestion in Gandhi Nagar has recently surged as the motorists are moving in the opposite direction to reach the First Main Road in Gandhi Nagar. They are doing it to save their time. We have made several representations with the Traffic Police Department to curb vehicles from plying along the wrong route. Even barricades are placed on the stretch. But it is not preventing the violators.” A retired professor attached to the Department of Transportation Engineering, Anna University, said, “It is important for the stretch to have a minimum radius of curvature, allowing vehicles to take a turn. Also, vehicles should be able to travel up to one kilometer before taking a U-turn.”

Deputy Commissioner (Traffic), P Swaminathan, said, “We have received six complaints from the public so far and we are taking action. As a permanent solution, we have posted a traffic cop there to prevent vehicles from moving in the wrong direction. In addition, stringent action is being taken and fine is being levied to curb the violators.”